Running Loose with Francesca Cumani & Vanessa Ryle

Vanessa and Francesca are back with another chaotic episode of Running Loose! From car disasters and therapy revelations to Rivals, the horse with 3,000 owners, and why Aiden O’Brien keeps getting it so right. Apple Away is heading from Perth to Paris in the Auteuil Grade 1 French Champion Hurdle and the pair reflect on Peter Scudamore's reaction to riding her.The equestrian world on screen sparks the question: best and worst representation of riding in film? Does Jilly Cooper get the horse world right? Has Wuthering Heights found the slowest horse ever? Is Rupert Campbell-Black up to scratch?Plus: who is the most intimidating person in racing? Why horse racing attracts risk takers, and somehow Francesca and Vanessa end up in a war zone…Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe so you never miss an episode!Sponsored by Old Gold Racing. 00:00 Intro 00:57 York races 02:09 Chester drama 04:11 car disasters05:19 Starting therapy & training the mind08:42 Apple Away & 3,000 owners heading to France11:40 Rivals returns & horses on the telly15:17 Why horse racing attracts risk takers20:35 Guineas reaction 23:36 A Newmarket clique24:01 The Most intimidating people in racing26:34 Derby trials & Aidan O’Brien dominance31:18 French Derby vs Epsom Derby debate32:22 Vanessa and Francesca in a war zone33:08 Sophie Harden art giveaway34:17 Derby picture wrap-up & outroSUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE:  ‪@RunningLoosePodcast‬ FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: @runningloosepodcast #horseracing #rivals #podcast #horse

Welcome back to Running Loose!Fresh from another week in British racing, Vanessa unpacks the unique atmosphere that makes Chester one of the maddest weeks in the calendar and how Michael Owen has helped boost its popularity, while Francesca questions some of the stranger things people do before heading to the track.Plus: Your questions, would Vanessa rather have feet for hands or hands for feet?! And whether social media gets racing people completely wrong.What are your race day rituals? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode!This episode is sponsored by Old Gold Racing. 00:00 – Rugby Shirts & First Impressions02:48 – “Do You Ever Do Anything Other Than Horses?”05:27 – Cutting Back On Social Media & Racing Content08:00 – Why Horse Racing Isn’t Treated Like Mainstream Sport10:46 – Life Outside Racing & Daily Routine13:18 – Racing In California & Growing The Sport15:50 – Syndicates, Stable Visits & Racing Ownership18:41 – Michael Owen, Chester & Celebrity Owners21:04 – Pre-Race Atmosphere & Getting Horses Ready23:30 – Weird Horse Racing Rituals 26:14 – Rules & Racing Politics29:04 – Listener Questions & Francesca’s Hair31:46 – Final Thoughts & Quickfire TopicsSUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE:  @RunningLoosePodcast  FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: @runningloosepodcast

Francesca Cumani and Vanessa Ryle preview the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, share the story of Vanessa's epic point-to-point win with Cap Du Mathan, and break down what top stallions (and not just the likes of Frankel and Night of Thunder) really earn at stud.ITV Racing presenter Francesca Cumani and Sky Sports host Vanessa Ryle are back with another episode of Running Loose—bringing you behind the scenes of horse racing with insight, stories, and plenty of personality.Ahead of the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse, the pair break down the key contenders, storylines, and what these races mean for the future of breeding in the sport.They also dig into the economics of racing, discussing what top stallions can earn at stud—using examples like Frankel and Night of Thunder to highlight just how lucrative winning the Guineas can be.Vanessa shares the story of her own “Gold Cup” moment in grassroots racing, winning a point-to-point with Cap Du Mathan—a brilliant look at the amateur side of the sport and why it still matters.Meanwhile, Francesca relives a memorable winner at Wetherby Racecourse and her experience with Old Gold Racing, giving insight into ownership and life inside a racing syndicate.There’s also plenty of racing chat and debate—from whether strong opinions are needed in the sport, to a light-hearted discussion on the most likeable personalities in racing, featuring names like Aidan O'Brien, Charlie Fellowes, Ben Pauling and Kieran Fallon.Whether you're a hardcore racing fan or just enjoy great sporting stories, this episode blends expert insight with behind-the-scenes access and plenty of humour.00:00 Intro & chaos to kick things off 00:20 Welcome to Running Loose 01:50 Cap Du Mathan point-to-point win story 08:00 Why grassroots racing still matters 11:40 Wetherby winner & Old Gold ownership experience 16:00 Why winning in horse racing is so hard 18:30 Guineas preview & racing insights 22:30 Racing personalities & controversy chat 27:00 1000 Guineas discussion 30:00 Travel stories & behind-the-scenes chat 31:00 Most likeable people in horse racingSponsored by Old Gold Racing.horse racing podcast, Guineas preview, Newmarket racing, Frankel stud fee, Night of Thunder stallion, point to point racing, Cap Du Mathan, Francesca Cumani, Vanessa Ryle, Old Gold Racing, UK horse racing podcast